Suicide: Risk Factors And Protective Factors

Why is suicide a topic nobody wants to talk about? How has it become taboo? When we want to find the solution to a problem, the first step is to gather enough information. Otherwise, the measures will be weak and the efforts will be useless.

It is therefore important to identify the risk factors associated with suicidal behavior, on an individual and environmental level. Identifying the protective factors that help avoid or reduce it is equally so. This way, it is easier to understand why suicide occurs and how to behave about it.

Suicide: a serious social problem

According to the WHO, suicide is among the top fifteen causes of death worldwide, the first reason for violent death.

Italy, although it is not among the countries with the highest suicide rate and although the trend is down compared to twenty years ago, according to Istat data, counts more than 3900 suicides in 2017 alone.

It is therefore estimated that in our country about ten people commit suicide a day (May, June and July are the most critical months). This should be enough to make it a priority public health issue.

Globally, however, the figures have been growing in recent years and are expected to continue to rise.

The consequences of this phenomenon cannot fail to affect the quality of life of the population, mainly due to the psychological and social impact on the closest people. A suicide deeply affects those who remain on an emotional, social and even economic level.

That is why it is considered of the utmost importance to study and identify the factors associated with this behavior, in order to organize prevention and intervention plans. In particular, the data concerning adolescents are striking. Worldwide, suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24 (road accidents in first place).

What can we do to prevent suicidal behavior?

To take preventive measures, the first thing to do is to study the risk and protective factors. Identifying these elements helps to understand how and when to intervene. Also of great importance is the person’s personality, what life conditions they are in and what stressful events can trigger suicidal behavior.

Mental disorders are considered one of the most important risk factors for suicide; for this reason, particular attention has been paid to them over the years. Among these disorders we highlight bipolar disorder, depression and psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia).

Other risk factors include:

• Previous suicide attempts.
• Family history of suicidal behaviors.
• Stressful events: divorce, financial difficulties, etc.
• Inadequate or non-existent socio-family support.

However, we must not forget that there are also  protective factors, that is, they reduce the chances of committing suicide even when different risk factors are present. Among the protective factors we find:

• Good social skills.
• Self-confidence.
• Presence of children.
• Quality family member support.

A strategy to prevent suicide

We can conclude that suicide is more than a set of individual factors. A mental disorder, for example, does not alone cause suicide, the environment is also very important.

Likewise, there are personal and environmental protection factors. The more protective factors present in the life of a person at risk for suicidal behavior, the easier it will be to prevent or intervene. 

Therefore, the conditions exist for a reversal of the current trend. It would be useful to design prevention programs aimed at those subjects who, due to their situation, fall within the profile.  All this without forgetting to enhance the already existing protection factors, however scarce they may be.